In Jordan there is a buzz in the air ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and it hasn’t even started. For the teams taking part in the tournament preparations began a long time ago but this week it finally opened up to spectators and media before the games start on September 30.
Opening the Fan Zone
Two days before the tournament saw the opening of the Fan Zone, where spectators can go to immerse themselves in all things U-17 WWC Jordan 2017. The area as opened with speakers including the Mayor of Amman, AKl Baltaji, chairman of the Local Organising Committee [LOC] Salaheddine Sabra and FIFA organisational committee member Anastasia Tschilas.
Throughout the opening of the Fan Zone the speakers and LOC made it clear that the spectator is the as involved with this tournament “each one of us is the 12th player and we are shortly flagging a moto here in Amman, each Jordanian will say: I am one of nine million. So we are not only the 12th player, we are nine million behind our team, welcoming the ladies that have come from near and far”.
At the heart of the Fan Zone, which can fit hundreds of people, are two narrow pitches where young girls can play to their hearts content in a bid to inspire the youth of Jordan. On the opening night the pitch was constantly with young players dressed in matching FIFA kits trying their skills against Aseela the Arabian Oryx, the U-17 WWC mascot.
Young Jordanian players at the opening of the Fan Zone (Image: Katie Mishner)
Opening Press Conference
The first press conference of the tournament was delivered by Samar Nassar, CEO of the Joran 2016 LOC, Salah Sabrah, Chairman of the LOC and Tatjana Haenni, FIFA’s Director of Women’s Competitions. Multiple topics regarding spectator interest in the tournament, which has proven to be a challenge in previous championships were addressed. Both FIFA and LOC representatives talked about the aforementioned succesful opening of the Fan Zone and the opening game likely to be a sell out, with multiple stadiums outside of the capital already surpassing 4,000 ticket sales for the games.
Other than tournament and attendance, there was an emphasis on the legacy of the tournament and how changes to infastructure in order to meet FIFA requirements will have a lasting impact on Jordanian football, in regards to changes to stadiums Tatjana Haenni “I wouldn’t say it was only being done for FIFA or for this tournament because I really think it’s a legacy for the future. It helps the men’s proessional teams you’re having, it helps the visiting teams you’re welcoming in the future”.
Salah Sabrah seconded the sentiment from the FIFA Director, thanking them for bringing this momentous tournament to Jordan “FIFA has always been a supporter of our work. This has allowed us to reach the point where we are at today, we have the infastructure to host other championships; for example we will now be hosting the 2018 AFC Asian Women’s Cup”.
The attendees were in agreement this tournament is a landmark for women’s football in the Middle East, Tatjana added that “this is another step towards gender equality and inclusinveness”.
Opening Games
The first games of the tournament kick off today in Irbid and the capital of Jordan, Amman with the opening ceremony being held before Jordan v Spain, which will start at 8pm at Amman International Stadium (EEST).
Other games that will feature today are:
Venezuela v Cameroon (KO 15:00, Al Hassan International Stadium).
Mexico v New Zealand (KO 17:00, Amman International Stadium).
Cameroon v Canada (KO 18:00, Al Hassan International Stadium).
